Real Madrid failed with 2025 move for teenage defender who chose Barcelona – report | OneFootball

As is often the case, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona find themselves going up against each other in pursuit of young prospects from within Spain and outside.

The latest case sees the two La Liga behemoths battle it out for Manchester United prodigy JJ Gabriel, with reports suggesting that the Blaugrana might have an edge on their rivals.

There have been several such transfer battles in recent years, involving Pablo Torre, Arda Guler, Endrick, and even Sergio Martinez, who was on the Catalans’ radars before choosing Real Madrid this past summer.

Hafiz Gariba slipped away

Now, SPORT brings forward another such case where Real Madrid and Barcelona were embroiled in a transfer war for a promising young player.

Indeed, according to the report, there was a Clasico battle for the transfer of Hafiz Gariba back in 2025, but the teenage defender chose to sign for Barça over Real Madrid.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hafiz Gariba 🇬🇭 (@hafiz_gariba)

Gariba, 19, spotted by the Marcet Foundation after impressing in trials at an academy in the Ghanaian capital, Accra.

Unable to sign for a major club because of bureaucratic issues, he began gaining experience at Codolar, a Fourth Catalan Regional club, the lowest level of football in Catalonia.

Despite the fact that the level of competition may not have offered the most attractive showcase, word soon spread about the existence of a very young centre-back with top-level potential.

And, perhaps surprisingly, scouts from both Barça and Real Madrid went to watch him in person. Both clubs made offers to sign him, but ultimately it was the Catalan club that won the race.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hafiz Gariba 🇬🇭 (@hafiz_gariba)

Gariba making steady progress

Having moved to the Barcelona academy in the winter of 2025, the 19-year-old defender has made steady progress, rising through the ranks and becoming a regular for their reserve team, Barça Atletic.

Gariba also started pre-season with the first team under Hansi Flick during the summer and remains on the German’s radar, indicating the potential he possesses.

Real Madrid could have had a promising young defensive prospect in their ranks had they been successful in their pursuit but the teenager chose their rivals.

The Spanish capital club will be hoping that things turn out differently with JJ Gabriel.